Our lives, our communities, and our world are to a considerable degree shaped by political events. Political science provides students with an understanding of the multifaceted ideas, structures, and processes of politics in the United States and abroad. Courses are designed to accomplish three principal objectives: to help the student acquire and establish habits of critical and creative thinking about public issues; to enlarge and broaden the students understanding of significant data, major ideas, and activities regarding politics; and to prepare students for careers in law, government, journalism, and education.
In order to officially become a major in Political Science, students must come in person to the Political Science Department (VC 5-280) to fill out our major declaration form and have it approved by the chair.
The Political Science major is unusually flexible. Students are required to take American Government (), a capstone seminar (
), plus seven other political science courses, representing at least four of the six subfields outlined below. At least two electives must be at the 3000-level.
In addition to our field-specific courses, students can also receive elective credit for Special Topics courses (), Independent Study projects (
), Research Practicums (
), or Honors Thesis projects (
,
).
Important Advisory Regarding Capstones: At least one of the two required 3000-level courses in Political Science must be completed BEFORE taking the capstone . (If necessary, students are permitted to take the second 3000-level course during the same semester as the capstone, but must consult with the department to do so.) Political Science does NOT offer capstone courses in winter sessions.
Program Learning Goals
Upon Completion of a Major in Political Science, students will be able to:
Political Science Concepts
Critical Thinking Skills
Research Skills
Written and Oral Expression
1. Craft a well-structured written or oral argument regarding a political question.
Civic Engagement
1. Develop a greater sense of civic duty to participate in public affairs.
Major Course Requirements
Base Course | ||
| American Government: Practices and Values | ||
| Required Course | ||
| Political Science Capstone Seminar | ||
| Electives 21 credits Students are to select 21 credits from among all the courses offered by the department, with at least one course from four of the six areas listed below. At least two electives must be at the 3000-level. Students can also receive elective credit for Special Topics courses ( | ||
American Government and Political Institutions | ||
| The United States in an Age of Globalization | |
| Religion and Politics in the United States ( | |
| Political Psychology ( | |
| American Conservatism: Origins, Development, and Contemporary Controversies ( | |
| Public Opinion | |
| Political Parties and Elections | |
| Congress and the Legislative Process | |
| Constitutional Law | |
| Civil Liberties | |
| The Presidency | |
| Social Movements and U.S. Politics | ||
| Political Socialization | |
| Case Studies in American Government | |
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Government | |
| Modern Middle East and North Africa ( | |
| Politics of the Third World | |
| Comparative Politics in Selected Areas of the World | |
| European Political Systems | |
| Latin American and Caribbean Political Systems | |
| Asian Political Systems | |
| African Political Systems | |
| Comparative Revolutions | |
| Communist Political Systems | |
| Identity Politics in Comparative Perspective | ||
| Making of Modern India ( | |
| International Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | |
| International Relations in the Middle East | |
| American Foreign Policy | |
| International Relations in Selected Areas of the World | |
| The United Nations in World Politics | |
| Contemporary International Conflict | |
| The Rise of Asia in World Affairs ( | |
| Seminar on Political Globalization | ||
| Political Theory and Methodology | ||
| The Great Political Debates: The Individual and Society | ||
| American Political Thought | |
Research Skills in Political Science (formerly POL 3323 Political and Administrative Research) | ||
| Political Sociology ( | |
| Topics in Politics and Literature ( | |
| Political Behavior | |
| American Radicalism | |
| Early Political Theory | |
| Modern Political Theory | |
| Contemporary Political Ideologies | |
| American Intellectual History | ||
| Political Analysis | ||
| Public Policy | ||
| Public Policy | |
| Women: Politics and Policy | |
| Social Welfare Policy ( | |
| Political Economy | |
| Government and the American Economy | |
| The Politics of Energy and the Environment | |
| Immigration and Integration in the United States | ||
| Field Work in Government and Politics | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
| State and Local Government | ||
| Urban Politics | |
| Politics and Government of New York City | |
| Urban Public Policy | |
The Honors Thesis is a two-semester sequence (,
) that offers students of superior academic achievement the opportunity to work individually with a professor on a major research project in Political Science. This project involves in-depth and original research of an empirical and/or theoretical question in the field. The degree "with honors" is conferred upon acceptances of the honors project by the Committee on Undergraduate Honors. the six credits earned from completing a thesis will be accepted as part of the 24 credit major.
Prerequisites:
For more information, please visit the Honors Thesis in Political Science website
A minor in political science will help students to flourish in the political environment in which their future economic and social activities will be carried on. To suit the special educational needs and objectives of individual students, appropriate substitution of designated courses may be made after consultation with the departmental advisor. Students may minor by taking 6 credits of 3000-level courses plus Political Science Capstone Seminar. In order to officially become a minor in Political Science, students must submit a minor declaration form to the Registrar's Office.
Important Advisory Regarding Capstones: At least one of the two required 3000-level courses in Political Science must be completed BEFORE taking the capstone . (If necessary, students are permitted to take the second 3000-level course during the same semester as the capstone, but must consult with the department to do so.) Political Science does NOT offer capstone courses in winter sessions.
Important Note: A number of the courses listed below are not offered every semester. Please consult CUNYfirst for the information on what courses are currently being offered.
| American Government: Practices and Values | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The United States in an Age of Globalization | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Introduction to International Relations | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Introduction to Comparative Government | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Great Political Debates: The Individual and Society | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| American Political Thought | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Public Policy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
Research Skills in Political Science (formerly POL 3323 Political and Administrative Research) | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Women: Politics and Policy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Welfare Policy ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Religion And Politics In The United States ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Sociology ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Modern Middle East and North Africa ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Psychology ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| American Conservatism: Origins, Development, And Contemporary Controversies ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Economy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Politics of the Third World | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Topics in Politics and Literature ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| State and Local Government | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Public Opinion | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Parties and Elections | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Congress and the Legislative Process | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Constitutional Law | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Civil Liberties | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Government and the American Economy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Presidency | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Politics of Energy and the Environment | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Immigration and Integration in the United States | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Social Movements and U.S. Politics | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Urban Politics | 3 hours; 3 credit | ||
| Politics and Government of New York City | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Behavior | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| American Radicalism | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Early Political Theory | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Modern Political Theory | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Contemporary Political Ideologies | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Socialization | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| International Relations in the Middle East | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| American Foreign Policy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| International Relations in Selected Areas of the World | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The United Nations in World Politics | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Contemporary International Conflict | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Rise of Asia in World Affairs ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Seminar on Political Globalization | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Comparative Politics in Selected Areas of the World | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| European Political Systems | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Latin American and Caribbean Political Systems | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Asian Political Systems | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| African Political Systems | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Comparative Revolutions | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Communist Political Systems | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Identity Politics in Comparative Perspective | 3 hours; 3 credits | ||
| Case Studies in American Government | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Urban Public Policy | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| American Intellectual History | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Analysis | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| The Making of Modern India ( | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Special Topics in Political Science | 1-3 hours; 1-3 credits | |
| Political Science Capstone Seminar | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Independent Study in Political Science I | Hours and credits to be arranged | |
| Independent Study in Political Science II | Hours and credits to be arranged | |
| Independent Study in Political Science III | Hours and credits to be arranged | |
| Research Practicum in Political Science I and II | Variable (3 to 9 hours; 1 to 3 credits per semester) | ||
| Field Work in Government and Politics | 3 hours; 3 credits | |
| Political Science Honors I | 3 hours; 3 credits per semester | |
| Political Science Honors II | 3 hours; 3 credits per semester |